Investigators Probe Mental Health in Air India Crash Linked to Past Disasters

Investigators are examining the mental health of Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, who was piloting an Air India flight that tragically crashed into a residential area. This inquiry has drawn unsettling parallels to previous aviation disasters, notably the disappearance of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 in March 2014 and the Germanwings disaster in March 2015.

Former Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott previously suggested that the pilot of MH370, Zaharie Ahmad Shah, may have deliberately crashed the aircraft in a “murder-suicide,” resulting in the loss of all 239 individuals on board. Meanwhile, the co-pilot of Germanwings Flight 9525, Andreas Lubitz, locked the captain out of the cockpit and crashed into a mountain in France, killing 150 people in what is now recognized as a confirmed case of pilot suicide.

The focus of the ongoing Air India investigation is shifting towards Captain Sabharwal’s mental well-being, with multiple sources indicating that he may have faced mental health challenges. Aviation safety expert Captain Mohan Ranganathan revealed that several fellow pilots had expressed concerns about Sabharwal’s mental state, stating, “He had taken time off from flying in the last three to four years. He had taken medical leave for that.”

While Air India declined to comment on the matter, an official from Tata Group denied claims that Captain Sabharwal had taken medical leave. The preliminary report from investigators did not reveal any significant findings related to his mental health, but the inquiry continues, with a focus on examining Sabharwal’s medical records.

Details of the Crash Investigation

Preliminary findings have provided insight into the cockpit conversation just moments before the crash. A voice recording captured a frantic exchange between the pilots as they realized the aircraft’s engines had failed. One pilot questioned why the engines were cut off, to which the other pilot replied that he had not done so.

The investigation has also confirmed that there was no significant bird activity around the aircraft at the time of the incident. Additionally, all crew members were breathalysed upon arrival at Ahmedabad airport and were deemed fit to operate the flight. Both pilots had successfully passed their Class I medical exams within the past two years, which assess their psycho-physical capabilities.

As the investigation unfolds, the examination of Captain Sabharwal’s mental health may shed new light on the circumstances surrounding this tragic event, raising important questions about the psychological screening processes for pilots in the aviation industry. The focus remains on ensuring safety and understanding the factors that lead to such catastrophic incidents.